Are you trying to decide which motor oil is right for your vehicle? You’ll need to understand the different oil grades to make the right decision. With a wide selection of motor oils to choose from, you’ll need to do your research before making a purchase. Don’t forget to read the manufacturer’s guidelines to get information specific to your vehicle. You can find motor oil for sale on Junk Mail.
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Why is engine oil so important?
- It protects against wear and tear
- Reduces sludge
- Filters deposits away from critical engine parts
- Minimises friction
- Keeps your engine clean. Cleaner engines run more efficiently, which makes them deliver more power and have a better fuel consumption
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What is oil viscosity?
Understanding oil viscosity is important as it plays an important role in selecting the correct oil for your engine. Simply put, viscosity refers to the oil’s resistance to flow, so high viscosity oil will be thicker and have a slower flow, whereas low viscosity oil will be thinner with a much faster flow. The number that is associated with each can of oil gives you information about its viscosity properties.
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Different types of motor oil explained:
There is a wide variety of oils available on the market and they are mainly classified as monograde or multi-grade oils. Monograde oils only protect your engine at the operating temperature, whereas multi-grade oils provide protection at the operating temperature as well as during start-up.
To further break it down, you get mineral and synthetic motor oils. Mineral oils are refined from crude oil, whereas synthetic oils are altered by chemical processes to enhance the properties and purity of the oil. If synthetic oils are not changed at the correct intervals, they can degrade rapidly, whereas semi-synthetic oils are a mixture of both mineral and synthetic oils and will degrade at a gradual pace.
It is not advisable to mix mineral and fully synthetic oils without proper chemistry knowledge, as incorrect mixing could lead to sludge and abnormalities in the oil’s quality.
Advantages of multi-grade oils:
- Better protection at low and high temperatures
- Less idling time and faster warm-ups
- Overall improved fuel economy
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Different oil grades and what they mean:
Her is an example of how oil grades are written: XW-XX
The X represents numbers. For example, 10W-40 or 5W-30
The number preceding the “W” is the viscosity measured at -17.8°C.
The “W” stands for winter.
The number after the “W” indicates the viscosity measured at 100°C.
Let’s look at 10W-40 oil as an example:
The 10 represents the maximum viscosity at low temperatures, which means that the oil will perform better in cold temperatures. The 40, however, means that the oil must fall within certain viscosity limits at the temperature of a 100°C. All oils that end in 40 must achieve these limits. If the number was 30 instead of 40, the oil would be thinner than a 40 oil at 100°C.
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Why should you check your oil levels regularly?
Checking your vehicle’s engine oil on a regular basis is crucial. Some vehicles might use more oil than others, so letting your engine “run dry” can cause an extreme amount of damage and lead to costly repairs. It’s advisable to at least check your vehicle’s oil and coolant levels on a weekly basis.
Your engine’s oil deteriorates over time, which decreases its effectiveness, thus leaving your engine not fully protected.
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What will happen if the oil is too thin?
If your engine’s oil is too thin, it cannot lubricate the parts properly, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear when the engine’s temperature increases. It could also bypass on worn-out parts if a vehicle has high mileage. It is most noticeable when white smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe while driving.
What will happen if the oil is too thick?
If your engine’s oil is too thick, it cannot flow properly. This means it won’t transfer heat away from the engine as it should. The oil could also start oxidising, causing deposits and sludge.
Please note that petrol and diesel engines are very different from each other and have individual requirements when it comes to oil. If you are unsure of which oil you should use, you can refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines or speak to a professional.
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Now that you know more about which oils to use and how oil grades work, you can make the right choice for your vehicle. Find motor oil for sale on Junk Mail today.
